Around the adaptation of Georges Bernanos' novel "Diary of a Country Priest", there was a scramble in the French film industry. Before Bernanos' death, screenwriters Jean Orange and Pierre Bost had completed an adapted screenplay. The script of Orange and Bobst tries to give the work a dramatic color to the small scenes through exaggerated movements and compact language. They deleted the part of Dr. Derbender, reorganized the important dialogue, ended the movie with a desperate cry of a small character, and turned the dialogue between Shandar and the priest into a girl and spat at the divine master. Therefore, Bernanos is not satisfied with their script
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Bernanos’ friend Redmond Brookberger also tried to film "Diary of a Country Priest". He rewrote the work in his own professional style, emphasizing the comradeship in the parish, to highlight and aggravate the anxiety of the pastor. This adaptation also cannot be accepted by Bernanos
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In 1948, Bresson began writing the script for "Diary of a Country Priest" in response to an appointment with the producer Pierre Gern. In July of the same year, Bernanos died. After studying Bresson's play, Gehrn decided to leave the project, but he sold the copyright to Bresson. Later, Albert Bergin, the person in charge of Bernanos’ literary works, accepted Bresson’s proposal, and the French National Film Agency agreed to inject capital for the film. So far, Bresson won the adaptation battle.
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